The immune system is a complex mechanism consisting of cells and organs. Its main task is to protect a person from the influence of alien agents. Perfectly distinguishing "strangers" from "ours", it protects the body from many different pathologies. But sometimes it crashes. The immune system loses the ability to distinguish between its cells. The body begins to produce antibodies that attack he althy tissues. In this case, doctors conclude: disturbed autoimmune processes are taking place. What is the risk? And how to deal with such phenomena?
Autoimmune processes in the body - what is it?
Most people who hear about such phenomena immediately associate them with severe incurable diseases. It really is. But only if autoimmune processes are violated. If they are normal, they perform very necessary and important functions.
Let's figure out what the autoimmune process means. In the course of human life, any disturbances can occur in cells. In this case, they become alien, and can even cause harm. This is where the immune system kicks in. It cleans the body, rids it of foreign agents. The immune system eliminatesdead cells. It is even difficult to imagine what would happen to the body if such a function did not exist. A person would turn into a real cemetery of dead cells. It is this function that has received the name "autoimmune process in the body".
When it fails, the immune system begins to attack its own cells. She perceives he althy tissues as foreign elements. As a result, their own immune system damages them. Against the background of this phenomenon, autoimmune diseases begin to develop.
Causes of violations
Until today, doctors are not ready to say, as a result of which autoimmune processes are disrupted. The reasons for such phenomena have not been fully elucidated. There is an opinion that such pathologies can be triggered by injuries, stress, hypothermia, and various infections.
Doctors identify the following sources that trigger such disorders in the body:
- Various infectious pathologies provoked by microorganisms in which the protein structure is very similar to human tissues and organs. For example, very often streptococcus becomes the source of the problem. This infection invades the cell, disrupts its functioning and infects neighboring ones. The protein of a streptococcal infection resembles the cells of he althy tissues. The immune system is unable to distinguish between them. As a result, a person may develop diseases such as arthritis, autoimmune glomerulonephritis, gonorrhea.
- In the body, as a result of a number of reasons, pathological disorders such as necrosis or tissue destruction can be observed. The immune system is tryingcope with them, begins to attack not only the affected cells, but also he althy tissues. For example, hepatitis B often becomes chronic.
- Rupture of blood vessels. Many organs do not come into contact with this fluid. After all, blood does not fill the entire cavity of the body, but flows through special vessels. But sometimes veins can rupture. In this case, bleeding will begin. The body will immediately respond to this phenomenon, perceiving the cells as foreign, and will start producing antibodies. Such disorders can lead to thyroiditis, autoimmune prostatitis.
- The source of the problem can be an immunological imbalance or a hyperimmune state.
Risk groups
The autoimmune process in the body can be disrupted in any person. However, doctors identify certain groups of people who are most susceptible to this pathology.
This category includes:
- Women of childbearing age. It has been observed that young ladies are much more likely to suffer from these disorders than men. At the same time, the pathology often develops in the reproductive age.
- People with similar ailments in their family. Some autoimmune pathologies are genetic in nature. One such disease is multiple sclerosis. Hereditary predisposition, especially in combination with other factors, often becomes a trigger for the development of pathology.
- Persons who have a lot of contact with certain components of the environment. Some substances can be a sourcedevelopment of the disease or aggravate the course of existing ones. Such provocative factors are: bacterial, viral infections; chemicals; active sun.
- People of a certain ethnicity. Doctors state that mostly white people develop such a pathology as type 1 diabetes. Systemic lupus erythematosus, in its severe stage, affects Hispanics and African Americans more often.
General symptoms
Each case of this disease is quite unique. The symptomatology that occurs in a person depends on which tissues have been attacked. However, there are common marker symptoms that indicate a disturbed autoimmune process.
Signs that characterize a failure in the body:
- The patient develops dizziness, general weakness, subfebrile temperature is observed.
- Most autoimmune pathologies are chronic. The stages of remission alternate with exacerbations. Sometimes the pathology progresses rapidly, leading to severe complications in just a few days, weeks, months.
Diseases and symptoms
Let's consider in more detail what ailments can develop as a result of such a condition as a disturbed autoimmune process. Symptoms are completely dependent on the pathology. Therefore, it is impossible to talk about them separately.
So, if autoimmune processes are disturbed, the following diseases can develop:
Alopecia areata
The hair follicles are attacked. Such pathology asgenerally does not affect general he alth. But it significantly worsens the appearance.
The following symptoms are characteristic of the disease: there are no hair patches on the head and other areas of the body.
Autoimmune hepatitis
With this pathology, the immune system destroys the liver. As a result, organ thickening, cirrhosis, and liver failure can occur.
It is recommended to pay attention to the following signs:
- liver enlargement,
- skin itching,
- weakness,
- jaundice,
- joint pain,
- discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract.
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Against the background of thrombosis of veins, arteries, damage to blood vessels occurs.
The development of such a pathology is indicated by:
- presence of blood clots,
- mesh rash on wrists, knees,
- spontaneous abortions.
Celiac disease
With this pathology, people do not tolerate gluten. This is a substance found in rice, cereals, barley. When these foods or certain medications are taken, the immune system attacks the intestinal mucosa.
Symptomatics:
- pain, bloating;
- disorder or constipation;
- weight loss or weight gain;
- weakness, rash, itching on the skin;
- disturbed menstrual cycle, miscarriage, infertility.
Graves' disease
This is a pathology in which a disturbed autoimmune process occurs in the thyroid gland. The affected organ begins to produce a lot of hormones.
For the disease are characteristic:
- irritability,
- excessive sweating,
- weight loss,
- insomnia,
- trembling in the hands,
- minor periods,
- hair section,
- high heat demand,
- bulging eyes,
- muscle weakness.
Type 1 diabetes
In this case, those cells that produce insulin are attacked. This hormone ensures normal blood sugar levels. Without insulin, the norm is significantly exceeded. As a result, damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, teeth, nerves can be observed.
Symptoms testify to this disease:
- feeling thirsty,
- feeling tired, hungry,
- itchy, dry skin,
- frequent urination,
- poor wound healing,
- involuntary weight loss,
- tingling or loss of sensation in limbs,
- visual impairment (image is perceived as blurry).
Multiple Sclerosis
Typical damage to the nerve sheath. Damage affects the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms vary depending on the extent and area of the lesion.
Signs may include:
- poor coordination, lack of balance, weakness;
- speech problems;
- tremor;
- paralysis;
- tingling, numbness of limbs.
Psoriasis
The disease develops as a result of the active production of new skin cells in the deeplayers. They begin to pile up on the surface of the epidermis.
The disease is manifested by the following symptoms:
- rough red spots resembling scales;
- they appear on the elbows, knees, head;
- pain, itching appears.
A specific form of arthritis can develop, affecting the joints of the fingers. When the sacrum is involved in the process, there is pain, discomfort in the back.
Hashimoto's disease
This is another disease in which the autoimmune process in the thyroid gland is disrupted. But this pathology is characterized by insufficient production of hormones.
The disease is evidenced by:
- fatigue, weakness;
- dramatic weight gain;
- increased sensitivity to cold;
- muscle discomfort;
- poor joint mobility;
- constipation;
- puffiness of the face.
Rheumatoid arthritis
The immune system begins to attack the lining of the joints.
The following manifestations are typical:
- pain, poor joint mobility;
- joints swell, deform;
- significantly limited movement;
- appears fatigue, fever;
- Subcutaneous pineal masses may be seen, most commonly on the elbows.
Diagnosis of pathology
How can you determine the development of the disease? In the diagnosis of diseases, one of the most important points is the identification of the immune factor that provoked tissue damage.
In addition, the hereditary factor is taken into account. It is very important to tell your doctor about all the symptoms you have, even those that, at first glance, seem insignificant.
Special tests are required. An autoimmune inflammatory process cannot go unnoticed. It allows you to identify the study of antibodies in the blood. Various immunological laboratory methods of examination may also be prescribed.
Who should I contact?
Quite often, people who have broken autoimmune processes do not know which doctor to visit. This is not surprising, because pathology can affect a variety of systems.
It is best to contact a therapist first. Depending on which organs are affected, the doctor will refer the patient to a specialist.
It can be: endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, dermatologist, hepatologist, rheumatologist, hematologist, gynecologist, urologist.
In addition, you will need the help of a psychotherapist, psychologist and nutritionist.
Treatment methods
Is it possible to fight this pathology? To date, the treatment of the autoimmune process is carried out quite successfully thanks to numerous studies by specialists. When prescribing medications, doctors take into account that it is the immune system that is the main factor that negatively affects the body. Accordingly, therapy is designed to reduce its activity or restore the necessary balance.
Medicines are prescribed for autoimmune diseases:
- Immunosuppressors. Such drugs have a depressing effect on the immune system. This category includes: antimetabolites, cytostatics, corticosteroid hormones, some antibiotics. The use of these funds allows you to stop the inflammatory process, and significantly reduce the activity of the immune system. However, immunosuppressive drugs have a number of negative reactions. After all, they affect the entire body. Sometimes hematopoiesis may be disturbed, high susceptibility to infection may appear, and internal organs may be affected. That is why these medicines can be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, after a complete check of the body. In this case, therapy must be carried out under the supervision of a competent specialist.
- Immunomodulators. These drugs are prescribed to achieve a balance between the various components of the immune system. As a rule, these medicines are of natural origin. The most commonly prescribed drugs are: Alfetin, Echinacea purpurea, Rhodiola rosea, Ginseng extract.
Lifestyle
People with impaired autoimmune processes need to follow certain rules. They will help improve your well-being and reduce the number of exacerbations. But they should be done regularly.
Doctors recommend the following:
- Work with a nutritionist to develop an appropriate diet. Patients need to eat enough vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products, whole grains, and vegetable proteins. And from excess sugar, s alt,saturated fat is best avoided.
- Go in for sports. Be sure to discuss with your doctor what activity is recommended for you. Sports are very useful for people suffering from joint and muscle pain.
- Get proper rest. It allows the body to recover. In people who do not get enough sleep, symptom severity and stress levels increase significantly. As a rule, a person needs 7-9 hours for a good rest.
- Protect yourself from stress. Constant anxiety can lead to an exacerbation of an autoimmune disease. That is why patients need to find methods and ways to cope with stress. Quite effective techniques are: self-hypnosis, meditation, visualization.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, it is impossible to get rid of an autoimmune disease. But this does not mean at all that with such an ailment one cannot enjoy life. Be sure to follow all the recommendations of the doctor, take the treatment prescribed by him, visit the doctor according to the appointed schedule. This will significantly reduce unpleasant symptoms, which means you can continue to enjoy life.
